Carton taping machine



y 1957 L. G. SCHEIB CARTON TAPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1955 w e MW Q m M Mr R u 1:: m f Vg m I L if;- M A w Y M J v on m. l I. R m

v fl R w kw N mm H a. s W W (A 5 ill July 16, 1957 G. SCHEIB CARTON TAPING MACHINE Filed July 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR; a Judugy Jc/zez'b July 16, 1957 L. G. SCHEIB CARTON TAPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 28, 1955 INVENTOR. Jud? gJclzeib July 16, 1957 e. SCHEIB 2,799,419

CARTON TAPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 28, 1955 United States Patent '0 2,799,419 CARTON TAPING MACHINE Scheib, Chicago, Ill.,

Chicago,

assignor to Clybourn Ludwig G.

Ill., a corporation of Machine Corporation, Illinois This invention relates to improvements in taping machines and more'particularly it relates to improvements in taping machines of the type disclosed in Patent No 2,787,396, issued April 2, 1957, to d W. Christensson.

The taping machine disclosed in the aforementioned patent embodies the basic principles of the present invention. Although the aforementioned machine accomplished substantially the functions for which it was de-' signed, subsequent and more widespread use of the machine disclosed certain structural features which were not entirely satisfactory. Some of these features were found to adversely affect the efficient operation of the machine and the proper application of the tape to the cartons. Other features imposed excessive limitations on the use and functioning of the machine and still other structural features so complicated the structure, design, and manufacture of the machines as to seriously affect their practicability as determined by such factors as production costs, maintenance and efficiency.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide improvements in the structure, assembly and functioning of the machine to overcome all of the disadvantages mentioned hereinabove.

It will be recalled that in the aforementioned patent, the arrangement and assembly of the various members of the taping units were such that it required a housing having a plurality of mounting cavities with cover plates and separation walls which further complicated the structure. It is an important object of this invention to simplify the structural parts, their arrangement and assembly in such a manner that the same may be housed in a single housing having but one housing cavity and requiring no separate cover plates or partition walls.

In the aforementioned patent the devices which were disclosed as comprising members which actually wiped the tape onto the carton, were in the form of brushes rotatably mounted on arms, said brushes being power driven by means of a rather complicated transmission gear assembly. Apart from the complicated mechanism required in such a construction, it was found that the brush members were not satisfactory in that the tape was not properly applied by such means. Furthermore, it was found that because the brush members necessitated a rather large outside diameter dimension, the overlap or length of the tape applied to the front and rear ends of the carton, was limited. It should be noted that the leading edge of the tape is pressed to the end surface of the cartons by that portion of the circumference of the Wiping member which first contacts the end surface. Hence, the smaller the diameter of the wiper roller, the lower will this portion be located and the lower down on the carton end wall will the end of the tape be applied.

It is, therefore, another important object of this invention to provide a taping machine of the character described in which rubber wiping rollers are utilized instead of brushes, said rollers being of considerably smaller outside diameter than used.

A further object is to eliminate entirely the power means heretofore used for rotating the wiping member including the power transmitting mechanisms, relying solely on the movement of the carton to rotate the wiping members. In this connection it should be appreciated that the substitution of rubber rollers, which have a higher coefiicient of friction, forthe brushes heretofore used, enables the utilization of the driven forward movement of the cartons for the purpose of rotating the rollers.

In the taping machine disclosed in the aforementioned patent, a rather complicated cam-operated mechanism was provided for raising the rear tape-applying roller arm after the tape had been applied to the trailing edge of the carton, in preparation for rolling tape over the top rear edge and rear end of the next carton. The actua tion of the rear roller was entirely independent of the actuation of the leading or front roller despite the fact that the movement of the rear roller was synchronized with the movement of the front roller. Although the functioning of this specific mechanism was satisfactory, obviously the rather complicated structure and assembly of parts was objectionable both from the standpoint of initial cost, installation and subsequent maintenance.

It is therefore still another object of this invention to provide a simplified means for controlling the movement of the rear tape-applying roller which will eliminate all of the objectionable features of the prior mechanisms. An object relating thereto is to afford such a roller arm actuating structure which will completely eliminate the actuating cam as well as the hook-like linking member of the prior construction.

Still another related object is to afford a roller arm actuating mechanism which is directly linked to the front roller member and is entirely controlled by the movement of said front roller member.

In the machine comprising the subject matter of the aforementioned patent, it will be recalled that as soon as the carton had moved away from under the tape-applying brush member, the spring loaded arm snapped back to its lowered position with considerable force. Repeated violent movement of this type exerted excessive impact forces and strain on that portion of the taping unit involved so that excessive breakage was experienced which in turn, of course, was reflected in excessive maintenance costs. a It is therefore still a further object of this invention to afford means for eliminating this objectionable feature. An object relating thereto is to afford air cushioning means which will gently lower the wiping arm, but without excessively the brushes heretofore increasing the time of operation. Hence, the arm is lowered in sutficient time to meet the next carton without necessitating a reduction in the speed of the entire taping operation.

Yet another objectis to so design the taping machine that more positive and effective feeding of the tape is thereby accomplished.

Yet a further object is to improve the tape-wetting mechanism of the machine to insure more satisfactory application of the wetting agent to the adhesive of the tape and to eliminate any retarding influence that the wetting mechanism as heretofore employed may have had on the feeding of the tape through the taping machine. A related object is to simplify the tape wetting actuating mechanism and at the same time make itmore positive and more effectively controlled.

Other important objects of the invention are to so design the assembly, structure and housing of the taping unit as to greatly facilitate the installation and removal of the same from a carton gluing machine of the type with which such units are often associated.

In the aforementioned patent, it was disclosed that the upper and lower taping units could be simultaneously utilized, one for applying tape -to the top "of the carton and the other for applying tape to the bottom of the carton. Although such units in the pr iormacliines were substantially similar in design-and structure, there were, however, several substantial differences which prevented the units from being conveniently used interchangeably. Moreover, several of the component parts required independent and different manufacturing operations.

' It is therefore yet another object of this invention to completely standardize the taping units so that the bottom and lower .units are :exactly identical with the exception Ofithe assembly, one being a' righth and assembly and the other a lefthand assembly.

A further object of the invention is to afford means in the taping machine permitting said machines to accommodate tapes of varying widths without requiring the replacement of any parts.

Still a further object is to so design and assemble the component. parts of the machine as to afford a more compact unit.

Finally a further object is to provide an improved carton taping machine of the character described of simple, inexpensive construction, yet sturdy and positive in its function and operation.

With the foregoing and other'objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawmgs:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the housingof the taping unit embodying the principles of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the housing;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 33 in Fig. l and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 in Fig. 1 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a detail of construction of the housing;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially on the plane of line 66 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, but showing the structural components assembled in the housing;

:Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the taping unit with all of thestructural component members assembled in operational position;

Fig. '8 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating certain details of construction and taken on the plane of line 8-8 in Fig. 7 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating another structural detail taken on the plane of line 9-9 in Fig. 7 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated; 7

Fig. .10 is an enlar'ged-fragmentary' elevational'view illustrating certain details of construction of the wetting mechanism actuating means;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the tank of the wetting mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the tank taken on the plane of line 1212 in Fig. 11 of the drawings;

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the structural member illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary detail view; and

Fig. 15 is still another fragmentary View illustrating a detail of construction of the wetting mechanism.

The tape-applying process and the functioning of those parts of the taping unit concerned with the actual and direct application of the tape to the carton, has been fully explained and set forth in considerable detail in the aforementioned patent. It is, therefore, believed that such description need not be repeated here. In lieu thereof, attention is directed to said patent and especially to 'Figs. 1-8 inclusive of said patent drawings which comprise schematic illustrations of the taping units and the movements of the cartons in operating relationship therewith.

Referring first to Fig. 7 of the present drawings, it will be noted that in the embodiment chosen for illustration the conveyor belt (not shown in the drawings) and the taping units are both driven by a common power source (motor) having .a drive shaft 20 journalled through the wall 21 of a housing referred to generally by reference numeral 22. A drive gear such as 23 is mounted on the shaft 20 and meshes with a transfer gear 24 mounted on a transfer gear shaft 25. The transfer gear in turn meshes with the large main gear 26 whereby said main gear is driven by the power source. Various cams and gears which will be subsequently described and which control the several operations of the tape-applying unit (tapefeeding mechanism, roller arm movement, tape measuring and cutting mechanisms, etc.) are likewise driven and controlled by the main gear 26 and will subsequently be described in greater detail. All of the movements of the various mechanisms are synchronized with the movement of the carton C on the conveyor belt so that the proper length of tape is pre-cut and applied irrespective of any variation in the length of the carton.

Differing considerably from the taping unit disclosed in the aforementioned patent is the design, arrangement and structure of several of the component parts which enables all of the mechanisms to be positioned in the unitary housing 22. As noted in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the housing 22 is defined by the side walls 21 and 27, the leading edges of which are shaped as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, thereby providing front cavities 28 and 29, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The rear end of the housing is defined by back wall member 30. A top bracing bar 31 is positioned transversely between the side walls 21 and 27 and in spaced relationship with the back wall 30. A similar top bar 32 is similarly positioned between the side walls 21 and 27 but in spaced relationship with the front portion of the housing as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

A bottom bar 33 aifords additional bracing means and is mounted between the walls 21 and 27 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Finally a front member 34 (Fig. 1) completes the description of those members defining the housing 22.

Positioned also in the front portion of the housing 22 is an L-shaped middle plate 35 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Extending between the middle plate 35 and the top bar 32 may be a dividing wall 36 as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Both the plate 35 and dividing wall 356 function primarily to mount and retain some of the component parts within the housing.

It should be noted further that angle members such as 37 and 38 may be afiixed to the rear and front walls respectively of the housing 22. These angle members facilitate the mounting thereof in a carton fiap'gluing machine, and openings such as 39 may be provided in the enclosure wall 27 to permit ready access for adjusting some of the mechanisms of the taping unit. Thus the entire greatly simplified housing unit together with all of the mechanisms contained therein may readily be removed or mounted in the machine in much less time and with considerably less labor than in the machine described in the aforementioned patent.

As in the previously described machine, the feeding of the tape T through the machine is controlled by a pair of rollers 40 and 41. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, these rollers are similar in design to the feed rollers of the co-pending patent application having their surfaces transversely grooved as shown in Fig. 7 for the purpose of affording better friction gripping surfaces for the tape. The rollers are further formed with a central annular groove 42 in the roller 41 and a complementary shaped central rib 43 formed in the other roller 40. It should further be noted that unlike the previous machine, the tape feeding roller is mounted on the drive shaft 20 so that it is driven constantly by the same. The other roller 41 is likewise constantly rotated and as in the previous machine, its movement into and out of operational engagement with the tape T is controlled by a cam 44 and a bell crank 45, to one arm of which is mounted the roller 41. An operating roller 46 may be mounted on the end of the other arm of the bell crank which is adapted to engage the cam 44.

The cutting of the tape is likewise accomplished by a mechanism which is similar to the tape cutting mechanism of the machine described in the aforementioned patent and comprises a knife 47 with a cutting blade 48 mounted in a cutting blade holder 49 (see Fig. 8).

As in the previous machine, the cutting mechanism is controlled by a cutoff cam such as 50 mounted on the same shaft with the roller feed cam 44, viz. shaft 51. As in the previous machine, this shaft is periodically rotated in accordance with the presence, size and movement of the carton C so that the cam is likewise rotated thereby. The cutting blade and holder, 48 and 49 respectively, are pivotally connected to an arm 52 having a tooth 53 adapted to cooperate with the cutoff cam 50 in the manner described in the co-pending application. -When the notch in the cutoff cam 50 is rotated into alignment with the tooth 53, a spring 54 mounted on an arm 55 urges the cutting blade into cutting relationship with the tape T. It should be noted that the cutting blade holder 49 is maintained in proper cutting relationship with the knife 48 by means of a coil spring 56 extending between the cutting blade holder 49 and the feed roller bellcrank 45.

The tape is applied to the leading end wall, top or bottom of the case and trailing end of the carton by means of rollers such as 57 and 58, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Front roller 57 is mounted on front roller arm 59, and the rear roller 58 is mounted on rear roller arm 60. It should be noted that the construction of the rollers 57 and 58 differ substantially from the brushes of the previous machine. These rollers are made of rubber, of relatively small diameter, and are not rotatably driven. However, they are each rotatablyv mounted by means of shafts 61 and 62 to their respective roller arms so that they are free to rotate as they move over the surface of the cartons C.

It will be noted that roller arm 59 is actually a bell crank having an arm 63 in the end of which the roller 57 is mounted, and another arm 64, the outer end of which is mounted on a shaft 65. At the apex of the angle formed by the inner ends of the bell crank arms 63 and 64, there is provided a shaft 66 upon which is pivotally mounted one endof a plunger arm 67, the function of which will be disclosed as the description proceeds.

There is likewise mounted on this pivot shaft 66 the outer end of a linkage member 68 having a leg 69 and an integrally formed arm 70. The outer end of the arm a shaft 77 positioned at 70 is formed with an elongated slot 71, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, as the carton C moves forward and abuts the tape applying roller 57, the bell crank arm 59 is swung upwardly and rearwardly until it has reached the position shown in dotted outline in the drawings. As this occurs the plunger shaft 67 is likewise moved rearwardly and pivoted upwardly to some extent until it assumes the position shown in dotted outline. T o the outer end of shaft 67 is affixed a plunger 72 fitted into an air cylinder 73 which in turn is pivotally mounted on a roller shaft 74 at a point near the outer end of said cylinder. Thus as the shaft or plunger arm 67 is moved upwardly, it moves the plunger 72 up into the cylinder 73, the cylinder itself pivoting sutficiently about the axis of its pivot 74 to accommodate the pivoting movement of the plunger arm 67 and thereby assuming the position shown in dotted outline.

It should be apparent that after the case C has moved out from under the roller 57 so that the spring (not shown) which normally urges the roller arm 59 downwardly, is suddenly freed to urge the roller arm down, the plunger and air cylinder mechanism will operate to retard the downwardmovement of the roller arm sufficiently to cushion it without, however, materially interfering with its timing and movement to the extent where the roller arm would not be properly positioned in time to apply the tape to the next succeeding carton C.

It should be noted that rear roller arm 60 is also formed in the shape of a bell crank but of somewhat different design than the front roller arm 59. Again the roller 58 is mounted on the outer end of a leg 75 which is integrally formed with an angularly bent leg 76. The leg 76 is shaped so that its width increases gradually toward its outer end and the same is pivotally mounted on one edge of the leg 76. A pin 78 is mounted to protrude from the leg 76 and is positioned in spaced relationship with the pivot shaft 77. This pin 78 is adapted to protrude through the slot 71 formed in the outer end portion of the bell crank arm 70. It will therefore be apparent that through the above described means, the raising and lowering of the rear wiper roller arm 60 may be controlled by the movement of the front roller arm 59. The manner in which this is accomplished will now be described in some detail.

As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, when the roller 58 and roller arm 60 are in the position shown in solid outline, the application of the tape T to the rear end surface of the carton C is being completed, while at the same time the front roller arm 59 is returning to its lowered position in preparation for the oncoming carton C. As the front roller 57 and the front roller arm 59 are pushed rearwardly and upwardly by the oncoming carton C, bell crank link 68 is likewise moved upwardly and rearwardly toward the position shown in dotted outline. As this occurs the slot 71 moves in a direction toward the left as viewed in Fig. 6 of the drawings until the trailing edge 79 of the slot abuts the pin 78. As the linkage arm 70 continues to move to the left, the trailing edge 79 abutting the pin 78 exerts suflicient force to cause the bell crank arm 60 to pivot about the pivot shaft 77 thereby raising the arm and the roller 58 until it assumes the raised position shown in dotted outline in the drawings. Thus the rear wiper arm and roller are now raised in position to permit the carton C to pass thereunder. However as soon as the trailing edge of the carton has passed out from under the front roller 57, the roller arm 59 is released to move back to its normal lowered position, in an arcuate downward and forward path. The trailing edge 79 of the slot 71 moves away from the pin 78 permitting the rear roller arm 60 to move back to its lowered position along the top (or bottom) and trailing end wall of the carton.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings it will be noted that an eccentric disc 80 is affixed as by means of a bolt 81 to the housing wall 27. The function of this eccentric disc is to control the downward motion of the rear wiper 'arm 60 whereby to prevent overtravel of the same.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings there is illustrated the spring structure which operationally joins the front roller shaft to the rear roller shaft and insures their proper motion in the proper sequence by maintaining proper tension between the two members. Thus a coil spring 82 is mounted between a pair of lengths of steel wire ropes such as 83 and 84. The outer ends of these lengths of rope are affixed by means of ends such as 85 and 86 to the respective pivot shafts 65 and 77 of the front and rear roller'arms. Thus as the shafts are rotated in the direction indicated by arrows, the spring is subjected to tension insuring proper operation of the above-described roller arm actuating mechanisms.

As in the previous machine, means are provided for limiting the feeding of tape except-during those intervals during which a carton is present and properly positioned on the conveyor belt. Again this means comprises a solenoid 87 which, upon being actuated by the passage of a carton against a trigger switch (not shown), energizes the solenoid to actuate a clutch mechanism which in turn controls the tape feeding and cutting mechanisms.

Although the principle and operation of this controlling mechanism is similar to the mechanism described in the aforementioned patent, there are several structural changes which have been made in order to insure more positive control of this important feature of the tape applying process. Thus instead of the bell crank arrangement described in the copending patent application, a clutch release lever 88, pivotally mounted as at 89, is adapted to control the movement of the clutch arm 90. The clutch arm 90, as in the prior machine, is connected to a clutch 91 and its pivoting movement is controlled by the spring 92 and a clutch arm stop member 90'. So also the outer end of the clutch arm 88 is spring-urged downwardly into engaging relationship with the clutch arm 90 by means of the coil spring 93.

A shaft 94, upon which are mounted the cam-controlling tape-feeding and tape-cutting mechanisms, is controlled by the clutch in the same manner as in the prior machine. Hence, the operation of the same, it is felt, need not be repeated inthis application. In lieu thereof, attention is directed to the appropriate description and drawings of the aforementioned patent. Suflice it to say at this point that the mechanism is so designed that a length of tape is fed to the roller members for applying to the carton only when a carton is properly positioned to receive the tape. Furthermore the tape is cut in lengths which are exactly sufiicient to cover the edges of the flaps of the carton and to adhere the same to the front and rear end surfaces of the carton. The length of tape varies in accordance with the length of the carton As in the previous machine, stop means is provided for achieving instantaneous braking of the shaft upon which the tape feeding and cutting mechanisms are able relationship on the shaft '94 so that it rotates directly beneath the spring loaded stopper 'pin 96. Similarly the pin 96 is adapted to fit into a notch 97 formed in the periphery Ofthe cam 95 to stop the rotation of the shaft 94 immediately after the shaft has been uncoupled from the main gear 26. It should be noted that the stop means is now positioned inside of the protective housing rather than outsidethereof as in the previously disclosed inachine.

Continued application and use of the taping machine as revealed that the proper moistening of the adhesive surface of the tape is a most important factor in achievingsatisfactory taping of the cartons. In the previous 8 machines, proper control of the wetting apparatus was not achieved, at least to the degree necessary to insure maximum efliciency of taping applications. Moreover, the means employed to actuate the wetting mechansms were rather complicated and cumbersome.

To overcome all of the objections mentioned hereinabove, there has been provided an proved wetting mechanism which will now be described in some detail. Accordingly attention is directed first to Fig. 10 of the drawings.

It will be noted in Fig. 10 of the drawings that the bell crank arm 45 which is controlled by czun 44 and which in turn controls the tape feeding rollers 40 and 41, has-mounted on their respective shafts 20 and 97', a pair of gears 98 and 99 which mesh only when the bell crank arm 45 is actuated by the cam 44 to move the tape feeding roller 41 into contact with the tape. When this occurs the gears 98 and 99 mesh causing gear 99 to rotate and also causing sprocket gear 100 to be rotated. When this occurs chain 101 is rotated which in turn drives sprocket gear 102 which then drives gear 103. Gear 103 meshes with gear 104 which is mounted on shaft 105. It .should be noted that gear 102 also actuates the overflow control means.

Mounted on shaft 105 is a roller 106 covered with a felt member 107 and which comprises the wetting member of the apparatus. The felt covered roller 106 is mounted adjacent a cradle device 108 which in turn is mounted in a tank 109 filled with the wetting agent such as Water. Mounted in the cradle 108 is a squeezing roller 110 which is adapted to be moved into squeezing relationship with the felt member 107 of the roller 106 for the purpose of squeezing out any excess liquid, thereby regulating the amount of wetting agent applied to the adhesive of the tape.

It should be noted in Figs. 11, 12 and 14 of the draw- .ings that simple but effective means have been provided for adjusting the relative relationship of the squeezing roller 110 to the felt member 107. Thus an eccentric disc 111 protrudes from the bottom 112 of the tank 109. The eccentric disc 111 is positioned between a pair of strips 113 and 114 and has a screw head 115 protruding therefrom. Thus by merely rotating the screw head 115, the eccentric cam 111 may be rotated to move the squeegee roller 110 into closer or more remote proximity to the felt roller 106 whereby to control the amount of water applied to the felt member 107. As shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings, the roller 110 may be adjusted to be moved into the position shown in dotted outline. Such an adjustment is especially useful in accommodating tapes of varying thickness.

Likewise means is provided for accommodating tapes of varying widths. Accordingly attention is directed again to Fig. 7 of the drawings in which a tape guide assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 116 is revealed.

The tape guide assembly comprises a plate 117 to which are mounted tape guide members such as 118 spaced one from the other to accommodate therebetween the tape T. A spacer plate 119 is positioned between the spacer members 118 and aflixed to a parallelly positioned opposite side member 120 of the tape guide assembly. The various members of the tape guide assembly are so dimensioned that they may be interchanged one with the other in such a manner as to accommodate tapes of varying widths as, for example, tapes of 1%" widths, 2" widths and 2 /2" widths.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings it will also be noted that a pull roller 121 for assisting in guiding and drawing the tape through the taping unit and along the top or bottom of the case, has been provided. It should further be noted that only a top taping unit has been illustrated in the drawings and described hereinabove for the reason that the bottom unit is identical with the top unit so that all of the details of construction and the various component members are the same and interchangeable.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construe tion and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure of the United States is:

1. In a carton taping machine of the character described; at least one taping unit mounted adjacent conveyor means for continuously moving cartons having closure flaps in spaced relationship past said unit, said unit having means for mechanically feeding length of adhesive tape so that the end thereof projects into the path of said carton, tape cutting means, and means for mechanically actuating said tape cutting means to afford varying lengths of tape as determined by the length of the carton to be taped, means for applying said tape to each carton separately whereby said flaps are sealed together and the sealed flaps are adhered to the front and rear end walls of the carton, said first-mentioned means remaining inoperative in the absence of a properly positioned carton, said second-mentioned means including a pair of movable tape-applying members mounted in aligned spaced relationship along the path of the conveyor means, and lost-motion linkage means connecting said tape-applying members whereby the movement of one of said members through the tape-applying operations thereof controls the pivotal movement of the other member in interdependently timed sequence, each of said tape-applying members including a pivotally mounted bell-crank wiper arm and by Letters Patent damping means provided to control the reciprocating movement of at least one of said wiper arms after the same has been released from the withdrawn position thereof.

2. The carton taping machine of claim 1 in which said linkage means comprises an elongated angularly-formed arm with an elongated slot formed in one end portion thereof, a pin protruding from one of said wiper arms into said slot, and one end of said linkage arm pivotal-1y connected to the other wiper arm, whereby the pivotal movement of said latter-mentioned bell-crank arm is transferred to the other bell-crank arm to cause the same to pivot in a direction opposite to the first bell-crank :arm after a predetermined time interval as determined by the movement of one end of said slot into abutting relationship with said pin.

3. The carton taping machine of claim 1 in which an eccentric disc is mounted in cooperating relationship with said linkage means to prevent overtravel of said second wiper arm.

4. The carton taping machine of claim 1 in which each of said wiper arms are mounted on a roller shaft positioned in spaced apart relationship, a coiled spring mounted between a pair of flexible members, the free ends of said flexible members afiixed one to each of said roller shafts whereby rotation of the shafts in opposite directions during the upward pivotal movement of the wiper arms places said spring under tension thereby urging return of the wiper arms after release thereof from the surfaces of said cartons.

5. The carton taping machine of claim 1 in which said damping means comprises a pneumatic device opera- .tionally connected to the front wiper arm.

6. The carton taping machine of claim 5 in which said pneumatic device comprises an air cylinder, at 'gasketed plunger reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and a plunger arm pivotally connected to said Wiper :arm, said plunger mounted on the other end of said plunger arm,

' and said cylinder pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof within the machine.

7. In a machine for sealing the flaps of box-iike containers, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt having pusher bars positioned transversely in parallel equidistantly spaced relationship, a pair of identical taping units mounted one above and the other below said conveyor belt, each of said units having means for feeding a length of adhesive-coated tape into position for applying the same to said containers during continuous movement thereof by said pusher bars past said taping units, means for applying the tape to each container separately whereby said flaps are sealed together and the sealed flaps are adhered to the leading and trailing end walls of the container, and means for preventing the operation of said first-mentioned means in the absence of containers in the appropriate spaces in front of said pusher bars, a rubber covered rol-ler mounted on a pivoted arm -spring-urged into the path of the containers to apply the tape onto the leading end wall and over the adjacent flap edges of the container, a second rubber covered roller mounted on a pivoted arm positioned to apply the tape around the trailing corners and onto the trailing end wall of the container, the first pivoted arm pivotally rotatable by the movement of a carton thereagainst, a lost-motion linkage device connecting together said pivoted arms whereby the movement of the second arm is control-led by the movement of the first arm, a pneumatic dam-ping device for reducing the speed of movement in one direction of said first pivoted arm, and tape wetting means mounted in each unit, means for limiting the operation of said wetting means to the tape feeding intervals, and adjustable means for controlling the amount of water applied to the tape.

8. Carton taping machine of claim 1 in which a resilient rubber roller is rotatably mounted on the outer end of each of said wi-perarms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,052,883 Kucklensky Sept. 1, 1936 2,239,383 Drewsen Apr. 22, 1941 2,294,520 Stande Sept. 1, 1942 2,346,142 Anderson Apr. 11, 1944 2,643,016 Steckling June 23, 1953 

